Providing for Placement of Statue or Bust of Winston Churchill in Capitol

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOEHNER. I thank my colleague for yielding.

As they've pointed out, next week, December 26, marks the 70th anniversary of Winston Churchill's address to a joint meeting of the Congress.

Less than 3 weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Churchill arrived in Washington to begin coordinating military strategy with the President and leaders of Congress. During his address, he warned the Congress of the difficult path that lay ahead. He spoke of the many disappointments and unpleasant surprises that were going to await us.

Regarding the Japanese aggressors, he asked, ``What kind of a people do they think we are? Is it possible that they do not realize that we shall never cease to persevere against them until they've been taught a lesson which they and the world will never forget?''

Churchill's joint address became known as the ``Masters of Our Fate'' speech. In it he said, ``Now we are the masters of our fate. As long as we have faith in our cause and an unconquerable willpower, salvation will not be denied us.''

In declaring war against the Axis powers, Churchill said, ``the United States--united as never before--have drawn the sword for freedom and cast away the scabbard.''

This resolution will honor the former British Prime Minister by placing a bust of him in the United States Capitol. The British, similarly, have a statue of Abraham Lincoln in the park across from their Parliament.

Winston Churchill was the best friend America ever had. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring his legacy of persistence, determination, and resolve.

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